it's time for us in washington to do the same. here in the senate, it seems to me that we're always fighting about something. that might not change any time soon, but more often than not, i believe that we can raise tohe common ground of great national rpose and i believe with all of my heart that this is one of those times. thank you, mr. president. and i yiel >> now, texas republican kay bailey hutchison on the senate floor about the lack of a deal to avert the fiscal cliff. mrs. hutchison: mr. president, we are here just hours before a looming deadline that is going to affect just about every american in some way, and i do believe that both sides of the aisle and both sides of the rotunda want to come to a conclusion that will keep us from having what looks like a complete meltdown of governing in washington. someone asked the question in one of our conferences when was the last time that congress was in session and voting between christmas and new year's, and the answer was since 1970, there ha not been such a session, and it